Nov 20
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nkorba added a text contribution I better get to work.As I read this verse this morning, and the rest of chapter one, I noticed how purposeful it is. Paul isn't encouraging or informing; he's instructing. He's telling how to do it; not asking if we want to do it or are going to do it. He's assuming that if you're a believer, then you've signed on to do the work of Christ. And to do that, you're going to need to be filled with love. Then he shows where to get the power: pure heart, clear conscience, genuine faith.… Read more »
Oct 8
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nkorba added a text contribution Setbacks are temporaryGenesis 26 opens with God reminding Isaac of the promise he has made, to give him the land and fill it with his family, "as numerous as the stars of the sky." Genesis 26 continues with setbacks, including an order from the king to leave the land, intense conflicts with the locals, and his son Esau marrying two women who "made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah." If it were me, I'd be extremely disappointed by these setbacks. But Isaac stayed calm, accepted reality,… Read more »
Oct 5
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nkorba added a text contribution Carry the woodIsaac carried the wood. I don't know what to do with that one. It's such monumental symbolism - pointing ahead to Jesus carrying his cross, while showing the faith of a child in a loving relationship with his father. And it's our call - to take up our cross and follow Jesus to a life of living sacrifice. I know I'm willing to follow, but am I willing to carry the wood, to pick up that thing that serves no purpose except my undoing and trust that someone will see beyond my… Read more »
Oct 2
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nkorba added a text contribution She didn't have a choiceI was doing some study this morning on Hagar and came to Galatians 4:22-24. Wow! Hagar was a slave. She had no choice. She had to be involved in what God was doing through Abraham. We aren't slaves. We have a choice to love and participate. And there's great power in that. God can use us when we choose him. Read more »
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nkorba added a text contribution Is bread all that important really?I started my day today praying through "The Lord's Prayer" in Matthew 6 and was struck by verses 11 and 12, where we pray for daily bread AND forgiveness for sins. I'm wondering how significant it is that these two verses are part of the same sentence? I wonder if Jesus was trying to explain to us that the bread we need for our physical bodies to survive, and which he is more than willing to provide, is no more important than the forgiveness and redemption that we need for o… Read more »
Sep 26
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nkorba added a text contribution When will God show up in my life?This is such a great illustration of God showing up in our lives. First, you've got Abraham relaxing in the heat of the day. He's taking a break. Then, when he realizes he has visitors, he welcomes them with humility and honor. He entertains them generously, at expense to himself. He refreshes them. And then it gets really powerful, because God starts talking about what he is doing and Abraham responds in humility. Abraham doesn't talk to God about his problems. He talks with Go… Read more »
Dec 10
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nkorba added a text contribution A Model of FaithOn John 4:47-53, it seems there is a model for us on living a life of effective, God-honoring faith. At least an example of the kind of faith that God felt worthy enough to mention in the Bible. It goes like that... 1) Acknowledge that Jesus has power of life and death. The Royal Official in this story had heard about Jesus and acknowledged by his actions that Jesus could heal his dying son; 2) Go and Beg Jesus to do something. Here we really need to swallow our pride, seek him out, and pour out… Read more »
Dec 5
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nkorba added a text contribution Stick with the planWhile reading John 4 - Jesus Talks to a Woman at the Well - this morning, I noticed that Jesus's trip through Samaria occurred because he left Judea when the Pharisees heard he was baptizing a lot of people. The notes in my Bible explain that Jesus left Judea because it wasn't time yet to confront the Pharisees. He had a plan. He was focused. And because of that, he had his famous exchange with the woman at the well. I'm thinking more and more that a fruitful life comes through st… Read more »
Dec 3
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nkorba added a text contribution Less of me is good for you.i noticed this morning that John the Baptist's statement - He must become greater; I must become less. - from John 3:30, seems to be about evangelism. I always looked at this as a statement about personal spiritual growth. And I'm sure pursuing that idea would assist your spiritual growth. But this morning, reading it in context, I see that it's about seeing people come to follow Jesus. And in what follows I see the why - Jesus is the only one who can really reveal God to people.… Read more »
Nov 16
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nkorba added a text contribution Partner. Weaker Partner. Equal Partner.My wife is my partner for life - be considerate as you live with - I must live with her, do life with her, live my life is a way that considers her always. My wife needs my help - treat them with respect as the weaker partner - In a physical and perhaps emotional way, she will need my help. She has weaknesses that are complimented by my strengths. She is the weaker partner. But, spiritually, she is my equal partner - as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life - We've both received salva… Read more »
Nov 12
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nkorba added a video contribution Amazing GraceThe Holmes Brothers remind us what Jesus did for us. Read more »
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nkorba added a text contribution Spiritual Healing and RestorationWow. I've always heard this verse in connection with physical healing. How much grander it is when I read it in context. The terrible wounds that Jesus received on my account don't bring only physical healing - from the temporary aches and illnesses that distract us in life. They bring a complete healing of our souls from the disease of sin. The healing found in the cross is the healing of our sin nature; a restoration to a life of righteousness. Jesus didn't die for the flu. Jesu… Read more »
Nov 9
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nkorba added a text contribution A thought on sacrificeA thought here on sacrifice, since Peter says offering sacrifices is one of the things we're called to do. As I produce videos for the church, often I have to "take a fall," do some slapstick of me falling or running into something of the like. My wife was witnessing this the other day and asked me how I knew when I got a fall right. I said I knew it was right when it hurt. I think sacrifice is the same. God calls us to sacrifice for him and others in love. How do we know when we&… Read more »
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nkorba added a text contribution I am being built.I think there is something very special in this verse - in the idea that we are being built into a house. I used to build houses. I remember a few things. For example, every piece of material that goes into the house, every stone, is important, serving a significant purpose. Also, every piece relies on every other piece. And, perhaps most importantly for me, every piece is 100% dependent on the builder to be put in the correct place and used in a way that is suitable not only for the house but a… Read more »
Nov 5
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nkorba added a text contribution God is doing somethingSomething is going to happen. Something that requires us to act. We must be ready. We must be anticipating it. It will be a God thing. It won't be natural to us. It won't be the kind of thing we would have done on our own. If we're not looking for it, but rather focusing on our stuff, we'll probably miss it. Preparation, expectation, self-control and hope is what it'll take to realize our opportunity to be a part of the next thing that God is doing. And grace is what it&… Read more »
Oct 22
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nkorba added a text contribution When will the "morning star" rise in my heart?This verse stood out to me as I was reading this morning. It seems to point back to verse 1:4, which encouraged me to look to the “great and precious promises” in order to live the life God has for me. Here, it's the prophets words that bring hope, “a light shining in a dark place.” My question is, when will the morning star rise in my heart? It doesn't sound to me like this is something I can control, unlike paying attention to the prophets, which is totally up to me. The dawn is some… Read more »